I am originally from Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, UK. At the age of 10, I commenced my Education at Fortescue House School, in Twickenham, Middlesex. It was during this time, that I bought my first ever single, which was “African Waltz" by Johnny Dankworth! Having left school at the age of 15 years, I moved down from London to the pretty village of Mayfield, in East Sussex. Here I worked at The Middle House Hotel in the high street. My then employer was the famous band leader and impresario Jack Payne.